Freedom to Marry has launched a petition campaign urging the Democratic Party to include specific marriage equality language in its 2012 platform. Writes the group in a press release:
The proposed language for the plank builds on previous, less explicit planks endorsed over the past two presidential election cycles, and states:
“We support the full inclusion of all families in the life of our nation, with equal respect, responsibilities, and protections under the law, including the freedom to marry. Government has no business putting barriers in the path of people seeking to care for their family members, particularly in challenging economic times. We support the Respect for Marriage Act and the overturning of the federal so-called Defense of Marriage Act, and oppose discriminatory constitutional amendments and other attempts to deny the freedom to marry to loving and committed same-sex couples.”
The 'Say I Do' petition campaign can be found HERE.
Said Evan Wolfson, founder and President of Freedom to Marry: “An overwhelming majority of Democrats support the freedom to marry, as do a significant majority of Independents and voters under 50 across the political spectrum. The Democratic Party has a noble history of fighting for the human and civil rights of all Americans. It's now time for the national party to be true to its values and its voters and go unequivocally on record for the freedom to marry.”
The platform will be ratified at the Democratic National Convention, which begins September 3 in Charlotte, North Carolina.
